[Illustration: '"Thou art betrayed."'----26]
The men-at-arms hurried up immediately, and striking the hands of the
fellow with the butts of their lances, made him let go the bridle. As he
had the appearance of a poor madman, and nothing more, he was allowed to
go without any questioning, and he followed the king for nearly half an
hour, repeating the same cry from a distance. The king was much troubled
at this sudden apparition; and his head, which was very weak, was quite
turned by it. Nevertheless the march was continued. When the forest had
been traversed, they came to a great sandy plain, where the rays of the
sun were more scorching than ever. One of the king's pages, overcome by
the heat, had fallen asleep, and the lance he carried fell against his
helmet, and suddenly caused a loud clash of steel.
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